ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Phillies at Braves - 07/26/2002

The Braves lost, 3-2. Kevin Millwood had what I call a "Bad Maddux" start, seven innings, three early runs, eight hits, one walk, and a loss. It's a good start, but when the team doesn't get any runs no one notices. Unless the pitcher has been going well, like Millwood, in which case people act as if he had a terrible outing. Or he's Maddux, in which case they ask what's wrong with him.

The Braves had fourteen baserunners, eight on walks, but couldn't get the runs in. The game ended with the bases loaded, when Gary Sheffield (who did keep his streak alive) grounded weakly to second. The team simply couldn't come up with the hits, and couldn't even make so-called "productive" outs.

Wes Helms started again against a lefty, getting one hit. It appears that Julio Franco has lost the platoon first base job for now, but that situation has been in flux for two years. In a week, the situation will surely have changed... Mark DeRosa played second and hit second, and apparently the platoon there is continuing. And Javy Lopez is still hurt, but the Braves still haven't made a move.